Parrish Fire District officials know the mostly rural character of the area of Manatee County they cover will be quickly changing in the near future. To prepare for the thousands of homes the county has already permitted to be built in the district, the fire commission and department leadership are being proactive in planning for a new fire station and the personnel to staff it. To lead the expansion efforts the commissioners hired Fire Chief Stacey Bailey. Bailey took over as fire chief on Jan. 1 after working along side former Fire Chief Michael Johnson for three months. “We’re working with the county and the developers now to establish where the growth of the area will be so we can plan for the fire department expansion,” said Bailey, who came to the Parrish fire department from East Manatee Fire Rescue.